Q & A with Pat Quinn, Managing Director of Field Operations for Rat Busters

What year did your business start?

We started the company in 2015.

How and why did you get into the business?

After 9 years working for Pest Control companies throughout South Florida my partners and I had a discussion about the huge need for an animal removal company. We noticed that there was a high demand from Florida residents looking for a nuisance wildlife removal business to be managed professionally and ethically and at the same time, whose fees for services are reasonable and fairly priced for all parties involved. There are too many animal removal businesses out there who are simply try to gouge the customer with ridiculously high prices, even though they provide sub-par work and lousy guarantees. The demand for rat removal, raccoon removal and other critters is so high and the people have very few reliable and professional options. From that initial conversation, and many more that followed, the idea for Rat Busters was born.

What is your education/training background?

With over 9 years of experience in the pest control field I initially began as an apprentice to many highly trained pest control experts. The experience I gained was invaluable! Of course, eventually I became licensed by the State, during this process it was required that I demonstrate my knowledge of the rules, regulations, and best practices for success in this industry. From there I earned the opportunity to conduct my own route with my previous employers. In a constant effort to expand my skills and expertise I now hold a “Commercial Wildlife Management Certification” through the State of Florida, which is required by law to deal with rodents in, on, or around any structure or building in the state.
4. What services do you provide?
In a nutshell we provide animal removal services, as well as, animal exclusion and prevention services.
To be more precise we remove 4 legged critters and birds from people’s homes, businesses and yards.
Our most common requests for help is with rats and mice. In those situations we first need to trap and remove all of the rodents who have found their way inside. The second step is to permanently seal up the entry points where the rodents are gaining access to the home or business so that no new vermin can ever enter again! Only AFTER the building is sealed do we then suggest the third step which is to place exterior bait stations that work 24/7 to terminate any rodents that do come into the area in the future.
We also get a lot of calls for other animal removal cases where bigger critters have found their way into attics, pool areas and yards. Topping the list in these cases are raccoons, opossums, iguanas, squirrels, coyotes, foxes, pigeons, and Muscovy ducks. Pretty much ANY animal that can cause a nuisance, we have humanely caught and removed.
5. What hours are you available?
We are available and on call 24 hours a day for emergencies!
6. Are you involved with any community groups?
We are proud members of the local BNI Ignite Chapter of Business Network International, Florida Atlantic Alumni Association, Boca Jets Lacrosse, & City of Boca Raton Athletics (COBRA) Softball League.
7. What do you love most about the business?
It is an extremely rewarding feeling to know that we get to help people solve the problems that they are having with wildlife. Whenever possible we will relocate the animals to a more suitable environment, which overall is a win/win experience for both the humans and critters who find themselves involved in conflict.
8. What do you think is your biggest challenge with the business?
I can think of 2 challenges for the people we provide services for that end up costing them way more money than they should ever have to spend.
The first one is that some people will wait until the problem is way out of control, with a massive infestation, before they actually call us. In that situation there is always more damage from rats chewing things up and contaminating the space with droppings and urine. The bigger the infestation – the higher the cost will be for the homeowner to solve the problem.
The second challenge is when people call their regular “bug exterminator” to deal with rodents. Countless times we come into a circumstance that was handled incorrectly by using rat baits and poisons on the exterior before the house is sealed or, believe it or not, the homeowner or unqualified exterminator actually places rat poison inside the home! This is always a bad idea because the rats can die inside your walls and the stench of decomposition is unbelievable. If the rats die in an inaccessible area the only way to solve the problem is to cut into the drywall and the job becomes much more expensive for the homeowner. Worst of all, even if it kills the rats and they don’t die in an unreachable spot, more rodents will enter because the home is not sealed off properly. It will become a never ending cycle if the job is not done correctly.
9. What do you want the community to know about you?
We care about wildlife and we care about you. Our goal is to provide exceptional service with the utmost of professionalism, integrity and honesty. We do what we say we will do, we show up when we say we will, and what we do works so efficiently that we stand behind our work with a LIFETIME GUARANTEE! We are fully licensed and insured for your protection. We strive to make sure that whenever you hear a friend or neighbor asking who they should call when having animal control problems, that your answer, without hesitation, will instantly be RAT BUSTERS!